"This Bengali spot is just a few blocks from Villa Brazil on the border of Astoria and Dutch Kills. They do tea, snacks, and of course sweets, but Khan recommends diving deep into the menu. “I know you’ve had Indian cuisine,” he says, “but India is a subcontinent with an array of cultures and cuisines. To the east, you’ll find a country called Bangladesh which happens to be my birthplace! Our food is extremely different from the Indian cuisine you find in most restaurants. We focus more on stews, stir fries, and fish. Mustard oil is our best friend and we use it on everything. Check out Aladdin—one of the oldest and best Bangladeshi restaurants in the city. Get the chicken roll as an appetizer, the curry beef, ANY of the fresh fish available that day, and don’t forget the tehari! I actually think it’s better than biryani.”" - chris mohney